Autoline This Week

Latest Episodes:

Autoline EXTRA #1303: Mark LaNeve Jan 16, 2009

Show notes

GM must make and has already made tough decisions to prove to Congress that it can be a viable business. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy sits down with GM’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mark LaNeve. They discuss the Pontiac Solstice Coupe, Chevy Cruze, Cadillac CTS Wagon, and the Buick LaCrosse and how those vehicles fit into GM’s plans moving forward.

Autoline #1303: Hanging In Jan 16, 2009

Show notes

Hanging In
With all its problems these days, the picture that best seems to symbolize the auto industry is a famous inspirational poster from the '70s. You know, the one of the kitten with its young claws buried into a branch with the caption "Hang In There, Baby!" That's because with such a dim economic outlook for the next year, and so many positive changes and great product due in 2010, if the industry can survive the next twelve months many believe it'll be purring once again. And there was no better evidence of that than the mixture of reality, optimism and product on display at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Joining John McElroy from the floor of the show to discuss those topics and more are four OEM executives who all took double digit hits to their North American sales last year. Looking to rebound as best they can in 2009, they just may want to adopt "Hang In There, Baby" as an industry-wide mantra to get them through the next few months.

Autoline EXTRA #1302: John Neff, Chris Paukert, Mike Dushane Jan 09, 2009

Show notes

The Big Three bridge loan is the topic of discussion on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. John McElroy and his colleagues discuss, among other topics, why there was so much animosity directed toward the Big Three, Detroit and the UAW during the debate in Congress and around the country on whether or not to give the companies the money they needed. Joining John in the discussion are John Neff of Autoblog.com, Chris Paukert from Autoblog.com and Mike Dushane from CarandDriver.com.

Autoline #1302: Point and Click Jan 09, 2009

Show notes

Point and Click
Just a few years ago if you wanted to know anything about the latest cars or trucks you essentially had two choices, magazines or newspapers. Then came the Internet and everything changed. Today you may find that hot product on the web in some cases before it's even left the design studio. Things happen fast and the competition can be fierce. In some respects it's this century's version of the Wild West! The manufacturers still try to control the process but there are eyes everywhere. Often the scoop comes from a bevy of blogs and websites that cover the auto industry -- some independent, others corporate -- but all pretty darn fast! Joining John to discuss this new automotive media are members of that very fraternity. John Neff is at Autoblog.com while Mike Dushane is from CarandDriver.com and Chris Paukert formerly of Windingroad.com is now at Autoblog.com as well.

Autoline EXTRA #1301: Natalie Neff, Paul Eisenstein Jan 02, 2009

Show notes

The 2009 North American Car & Truck of the Year award is the topic on this edition of Autoline EXTRA. John McElroy and two of his fellow juror members discuss what vehicles they felt should have made the finalist list and they also predict what vehicles will take the awards home. Joining John in the discussion are Natalie Neff of AutoWeek and Paul Eisenstein from The Detroit Bureau.

Autoline #1301: Nuts & Bolts Jan 02, 2009

Show notes

Nuts & Bolts
It's that time of year again in the auto world when hardware takes on a special definition. Screwdrivers, sandpaper and galvanized nails are replaced, for a short time, with crystal trophies and plaques proclaiming "The Best of" for the most recently-produced cars or trucks. And for the 15th consecutive year, a group of veteran automotive reporters will be handing out the "hardware" for the 2009 North American Car & Truck of the Year. But before these awards are presented at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, these fifty voters winnow each list down to the three top cars and the three top trucks. On this week's show, John McElroy is joined by two of his fellow NACTOY jurors to discuss the six vehicles which made the cut. In fact, both Natalie Neff from AutoWeek and Paul Eisenstein with the Detroit Bureau along with John, will not only talk about these half dozen candidates but also discuss some of the other cars and trucks that they thought may have deserved to make the list. And in the end you might even hear their predictions about which manufacturer will walk away with this year's North American Car & Truck of the Year.

Autoline EXTRA #1245: Jeff Bennett, David Welch Dec 23, 2008

Show notes

GM and Chrysler got the loans they requested from Congress, so now what? On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy sits down with Jeff Bennett of Dow Jones Newswire and David Welch of BusinessWeek, to discuss what will happen next for the American automakers. They discuss whether or not Congress will approve more money for them in the future and also if this is the perfect opportunity for Detroit to change its image and public perception.

Autoline EXTRA #1245: William Diehl Dec 23, 2008

Show notes

GM and Chrysler got a lot of attention over the bridge loan requests they made recently but what got lost in the debate is that many suppliers are in trouble too. On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy talks with William Diehl, President & CEO of BBK, a firm that assists companies in turnarounds and restructuring. Mr. Diehl offers his advice to suppliers and what they need to do in order to turnaround business.

Autoline #1245: Emotional Rescue Dec 23, 2008

Show notes

Emotional Rescue
"I will be your savior, steadfast and true."
It's pretty safe to say that the Rolling Stones and George W. Bush have little in common. But when it comes to the Big Three bailout, these Mick Jagger-penned lyrics sound like a sentence that might've come from the Oval Office as the President approved the $17 billion bridge loans. Ahhh, everyone in Detroit breathes a huge sigh of relief. But how much of a rescue -- emotional or otherwise -- are the loans? As they say, be careful what you wish for.
On this week's show we take a look inside the bridge loans from three different perspectives: players, participants and partisans. We start the conversation with Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, a suburban Detroit Republican who had to balance ideology and reality throughout the crisis. Then John talks to a couple of automotive reporters, David Welch from BusinessWeek & Jeff Bennett of Dow Jones Newswire, who watched as Detroit nearly crumbled these last couple of months. We'll hear how the companies dealt with the ever-changing situation and explore their plans going forward. And speaking of plans, as part of the loan language the Big Three will have to restructure. What exactly does that mean? Joining John is an expert in the field, Bill Diehl who is the President & CEO of BBK, a company that specializes in doing just that.
Who would've predicted a few weeks ago that these late '70s Mick Jagger lyrics would seem appropriate?
With the long-awaited news from the White House last week, this line might've seemed natural coming from the President as it did when it was originally sung back in 1980 by the Rolling Stones.

Autoline EXTRA #1244: Anne Asensio Dec 19, 2008

Show notes

On this edition of Autoline EXTRA, John McElroy continues his discussion with Anne Asensio the VP of Design Experience at Dassault Systemes. Ms. Asensio discusses moving from the OEM side of design to the supplier side and what the differences are between the two. She also shares her thoughts on if designs in the 3D world can be as beautiful and artistic as drawing with conventional tools.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected